Kalim Al-Asim

The sun beat down on the gardens of Al-Asim Palace, making the fountains and golden mosaics sparkle. Everything was too… perfect. Too staged.

"Remember to smile," your mother murmured softly, adjusting your posture as you walked forward. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

An opportunity. Of course. That's what they called it.

The royal family awaited you. Sultan Rashid Al-Asim, imposing, and at his side, Sultana Zahira, elegant and observant. But your attention was quickly drawn away.

White hair, bright smile, eyes full of life.

Kalim.

Beside him, slightly behind, was Jamil, serious, attentive, analyzing every detail as if nothing escaped him.

"So it's you!" Kalim stepped forward, breaking all formality with almost overflowing energy. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Too close. Too fast.

—Kalim —Jamil intervened in a low voice—, temper your enthusiasm a little.

"But it's important!" he replied, still looking at you. "We're going to spend a lot of time together, aren't we?"

Silence.

Your parents exchanged glances with theirs. Everything had been decided without them even asking you.

—You could go for a walk— the sultana suggested gently. —To get to know each other better.

Brilliant.

The gardens were enormous, but the silence between you was even more so. Kalim walked beside you, trying several times to start a conversation.

—Um… do you like festivals? We have a lot of them here. Or the food, the food is amazing! I can show you—

"It's not necessary," you replied, a little more curtly than you intended.

He was silent for a second. Just a second. Then he smiled again.

—Okay. We can go slower.

That threw you off.

He didn't insist. He wasn't bothered. He just... adapted.

From a distance, Jamil watched, arms crossed, clearly evaluating you.

"You don't have to force yourself," Kalim added more quietly, this time without that explosive energy. "I know this... might be strange. I'm being forced into it a bit too."